Dec. 22-26, 2014

Today in the News Media

Today in the News Media is a synopsis of some of the most prominent coverage of OSU people and programs. Inclusion of any item constitutes neither an endorsement nor a critique, but rather is intended only to make the OSU community aware of significant items in the media.

A team led by Keith Leavitt, an assistant professor at Oregon State University, assigned 178 MBA students to project teams of four or five for the semester; halfway through the course, the individuals filled out personality questionnaires and surveys evaluating their team members’ performance so far. (see also Glamour, Fast Company, Huffington Post)

Could the solution to ocean acidification and its deadly effects on shellfish lie in a bottle of Tums? New research from Oregon State University scientists suggests it could. (see also The Scientist, Kansas City Info Zine)

Oregon State University researchers studying tiny marine organisms have a big problem: how to efficiently identify and classify the myriad types of plankton captured in tens of millions of photographic images. They’re hoping that crowdsourcing — and cash — will solve that problem for them. (see also Oregonian, Statesman Journal)

“Roughly 70 percent of sites (in the western U.S.) that have long-term measurements have posted decreases in April 1 snowpack,” Phil Mote, a climate scientist at Oregon State University in Corvallis who sees the fingerprint of warming temperatures in the snowpack’s decline, told NBC News. “And roughly 30 percent have posted increases. So there is an imbalance.”

Susana Rivera-Mills couldn’t wait to connect with other Oregon Latinos when she moved to Corvallis in 2007. Oregon’s Latino community had not been extensively researched, so as a native of El Salvador and socio-linguist studying Latino communities, Oregon appeared to be a frontier of opportunity.

Everyone knows that the earlier you book a flight, the cheaper your ticket is. But, according to a new study by Todd Montgomery, an Oregon State University researcher and veteran of the hospitality industry, the flip side is true for hotels.

“Importing rice and wheat and all these water-intensive commodities is basically a replacement for having your own water” to grow them, says Jeff Reimer, an international trade economist at Oregon State University. The grain imports eased stress on the countries’ own limited resources — perhaps easing cross-border tensions in the process — and freed up internal water for other uses like industry and direct consumption.

“Even though they can be really hard on a tree, they can also be really important to wildlife,” says David Shaw, a forest health specialist at Oregon State University. While stealing hard-earned resources from trees, the bushy brooms that mistletoe creates provide food and shelter to birds, bugs, and a few mammals. Recent research suggests this mix of thieving and generosity—they could be essential to the health and prosperity of an ecosystem.

“The introduction of tropical fish into more temperate regions is troubling and this new study gives a vivid example of what can happen when non-native species occupy a new ecosystem,” said Fiona Tomas Nash, a courtesy professor of fisheries and wildlife at Oregon State University and a co-author on both studies. (see also Eurasia Review)

Researchers at Oregon State University have pioneered a method that allows them to track tiny amounts of a possible carcinogen in humans, work they hope will give them insight into how the body deals with these compounds.

One specific variety of hop, the Cascade Hop (developed by Oregon State University and the USDA), is especially popular with craft brewers and is noted for it’s citrusy flavor and aroma, and ability to add bitterness to beer. These hops (and other varieties like them), which comprise a small amount of the overall hop harvest of the US, are in such high demand from craft brewers that there is a national shortage, driving up prices of both beer ingredients, and possibly (please god no) beer itself.

Larry Pribyl, assistant director of Broadcast Communications with University Advancement in the Department of News and Research Communications, has been recognized as the Professional Faculty Leadership Association’s December 2014 ‘Our Hero.’

“Playing with Barbie has an effect on girls’ ideas about their place in the world,” said Aurora M. Sherman, an associate professor in the School of Psychological Science at OSU. “It creates a limit on the sense of what’s possible for their future.”

The vast majority of Christmas trees come from farms, not the wild. Oregon is the largest producer of Christmas trees in the United States, with more than six million trees harvested annually. Farms should be able to adapt somewhat to changing climates, according to Nick Houtman, an assistant director for research communications at Oregon State University.

“In other words, if greenness declines, this is an indication that less carbon will be removed from the atmosphere,” lead study author Thomas Hilker, a remote sensing specialist at Oregon State University, explained in a press release. “The carbon storage of the Amazon basin is huge, and losing the ability to take up as much carbon could have global implications for climate change.”

Unizin, the nonprofit technology consortium, added Pennsylvania State University as a member in November. Unizin aims to develop technology that will allow its members to share content and learning analytics without giving up ownership or control, and to develop, and own, the infrastructure and technology for disseminating that content. The price of joining is about $1 million, or $350,000 a year for three years. Along with Penn State, the members so far include Colorado State University, Indiana University, Oregon State University, the University of Florida, the University of Michigan, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Faced with this daunting problem in parts of their own state, hydrologists from Oregon State University and the Walla Walla Basin Watershed Council came up with a remarkable solution in 2004; it’s even relatively cheap, at just 1 percent the cost of a conventional dam, reservoir and distribution system.

Oregon State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences said goodbye to seven long-time Department of Crop and Soil Science personnel in a celebration Dec. 12 that drew researchers, crop consultants, farmers and university administrators.

Corvallis ranks fourth on a new list of this year’s Best and Worst College Cities and Towns in America. Corvallis is the home of Oregon State University. The list comes from Wallethub.com The survey considered the best or worst combination of academic, social and economic environments.

Brekken, an Oregon State University electrical engineering professor, signed up for an energy audit earlier this year. Clean Energy Works put him in touch with a contractor, and the Brekken family wound up with a $1,550 rebate based on the projected energy savings of 20 percent.

Unizin, a nonprofit technology consortium, will also be worth watching in 2015. Pennsylvania State University joined the consortium in November. Its pre-existing members include Colorado State University, Indiana University, Oregon State University, the University of Florida, the University of Michigan, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It will be interesting to see what other universities join and whether any new projects are announced by the consortium.

“The recommendation to change the status under IUCN criteria is well supported by the genetic evidence, as well as the history of illegal whaling and the current threats from human activity,” says Scott Baker, Associate Director of the Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University.

The owner discovered dead birds within his flock Monday and immediately notified an ODA veterinarian, Pokarney said. Tests at an Oregon State University lab led to the presumption of H5N8, and it was confirmed at a USDA lab in Ames, Iowa, he said.

Poorly ventilated homes can also increase exposure to other biological, chemical, and physical contaminants such as house dust mites and bacteria that can increase the risk of asthma. For example, another recent study from Oregon State University found that the prevalence of wheezing and asthma in children is higher in homes in which a gas stove is used without ventilation than in homes with ventilation.

They began diversification by selling mint tea and vials of oil at the Portland Farmers’ Market. Then, aided by Oregon State University’s Food Innovation Center in Portland, they set up shop in a Clatskanie restaurant and began making mint candy.

Bobbi Weber, faculty research associate with the Family Policy Program at Oregon State University, agreed. “High quality care, which involves little or no screen time, healthy food, a ton of physical exercise and many activities that support cognitive and social development, is what parents want for their children,” she said. “But, the cost of getting quality care and education is not possible for many Oregonians, including many in the middle class.”

Dr. Clark Seavert, Ag Economist with Oregon State University recently talked with a large group of tree fruit producers about the future and one of Clark’s opening statements was right from Yogi Berra, “The future ain’t what it used to be.” And according to Seavert, that has him excited.

Students interested in applying to Oregon State University – Cascades for fall 2015 are encouraged to submit an application by February 1 in order to be considered for scholarships offered by the university.

Thursday

Closed.

Friday

Closed

Lectures and Webinars

Supervisor training: Registration is open for the Feb. 10 and 11, “Core Curriculum for OSU Supervisors and Managers” course. If you are a new or experienced supervisor and have not taken this course, it will make your work easier with collective bargaining information, policies, procedures and helpful resources. Register at http://oregonstate.edu/training/course_list.php?cat_id=3.

News for Employees

NEW! Parking Services Winter Break Hours: During the holiday break, the Parking Services office hours will remain the same as usual (7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.), but the office will be closed Dec. 24-26, and then again on Jan. 1, 2015. Our online services will be available during this time.

NEW! Momentum: One of the nation’s strongest robotics programs is being developed right here at Oregon State’s College of Engineering. Read about how it all started and the latest breakthroughs, including a snake-like robot that can ascend sandy slopes. It’s not just our faculty who are creating a whole new future. The combined talent and enthusiasm of engineering students is amazing. Read about the recent success of Global Formula Racing and Oregon State Rocketry.

NEW! Master Recycler Class: Spots are available in the 2015 Master Recycler class, sponsored by Campus Recycling and offered free to Linn and Benton County residents who agree to “payback” what they learned through community service. The course will be on Tuesday nights Jan. 13 through March 3 along with a couple field trips, and covers all aspects of waste reduction. More class info and registration is on Campus Recycling’s website.

Recreational Sports Winter Memberships: Winter Term memberships are available for purchase for only $83 for faculty/staff/affiliates/dependents. You may qualify for a $15/month wellness reimbursement! Also, Fall Term memberships and lockers will expire Friday, Jan. 2, prior to the start of Winter Term. Please be prepared to renew your membership and/or locker on or before Jan. 2. Please note: If we clean out your expired locker, you will be charged $5 to retrieve your items. Contact Ali Casqueiro, Membership Coordinator, for more information.

Outdoor Gear Rental from Recreational Sports: As winter weather approaches, rent all the gear you need to enjoy the wintery outdoors from Recreational Sports. The ALI Gear Rental Shop is open to all students, Recreational Sports members and the OSU community to rent outdoor gear. Students and Recreational Sports members receive a discounted rate on rentals. Additionally, if you need your skis/snowboard tuned up or waxed, the ski shop is your one stop shop for preparing your gear for the mountain! Visit the Adventure Leadership Institute in Dixon for more information or contact the ALI directly.

Winter Break @ Recreational Sports – Bing yourself & guests! Did you know? All OSU community members can sponsor themselves into Recreational Sports for only $7/day. Additionally, you can sponsor an unlimited number of guests into Recreational Sports for $7/day each. Consider entertaining family and friends over the break at Recreational Sports. From basketball to swimming and rock climbing to racquetball, we’ve got plenty of ways to keep you and your active and having fun.

News from the College of Public Health and Human Sciences: Watch as children with disabilities gain new freedom with modified ride-on cars, hear from students about why they are the future of public health, read how an MPH student hopes to improve public health in Haiti, find out what students learn while studying Human Development and Family Sciences and more in Synergies. http://bit.ly/1yHDYAb

OSU Press sale: OSU Press is having a holiday sale, with 30% off selected titles when purchased on our website. The sale runs through Dec. 31. To take advantage of the discount, customers must enter the promo code 14HOLIDAY at checkout. A list of sale books is available here: http://osupress.oregonstate.edu/2014-holiday-sale

Employees attending other institutions: Staff Fee Privilege (Tuition Discount): Deadline is Dec. 31 to submit the application for employees attending other OUS institutions during Winter 2014-5. Applications are to be submitted to your business center. For additional information, please visit: http://hr.oregonstate.edu/benefits/staff-fee-privileges-tuition-reduction

OSU Directories are here: The 2014-15 OSU Directory has arrived and all department pre-orders have been delivered. If your department needs more copies, please call or email Kami Hammerschmith in Student Media at 541-737-6379, kami.hammerschmith@oregonstate.edu, or come to 118 Memorial Union East/Snell Hall. The directories are $2 each and can be billed to an OSU index number. OSU Directories put out in the Memorial Union are free to OSU students only.

External and Course Fees: Oregon State University will take written comments on its proposed updates to OSU Standard 576-010 University Fees through the end of business on Dec. 31, 2014. The purpose of the comment period is to receive public feedback regarding updates to the external and course fees before they become effective on Jan. 1, 2015. The proposed fees can be reviewed at the Valley Library circulation desk. Comments should be directed to Beth Giddens at beth.giddens@oregonstate.edu.

Printing and Mailing ServicesWinter Break Hours: Winter hours will begin on Dec. 15 and will be 8 a.m.-5 p.m. We will be open Dec. 24 from 8 a.m.-noon. Please contact Kiara Goldtrap with any questions at Kiara.Goldtrap@oregonstate.edu.

The Office of the Vice President for Research invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, fixed term Senior Grant and Contract Officer position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Vice President. Posting #0013372. Closes Dec. 24.

The College of Veterinary Medicine is looking for a full-time University Development Project Coordinator 1 position. Posting #0013420. Closes Dec. 29.

Accountant 2. This recruitment will be used to fill one full-time Accountant 2 position for Research- Office of Post Award Administration at Oregon State University (OSU). Posting #0013427. Closes Dec. 29.

Assistant Professor (practice)– Oregon State University Extension Service and the College of Agricultural Sciences invite applications for an Assistant Professor of Practice, full-time, (fixed-term, 1.0 FTE), position located in Baker City. Posting # 0013404. Closes Dec. 30.

The Department of Forest Engineering, Resources and Management at Oregon State University invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE) 9-month tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Forest Economics. Posting #0013255. Closes Dec. 31.

Assistant Professor of Dual Language Bilingual Education and Cultural/Linguistic Diversity – The College of Education invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE) 9-month tenure-track Assistant Professor position focused on Spanish/English Dual Language Bilingual Education. This position is part of the Provost Hiring Initiative for Advancing Student Success through the Lens of Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity. Posting # 0013336. Closes for full consideration Dec. 31.

Management Analyst 3: OSU Capital Planning and Development has an opening for one full-time, 1.0 FTE, Management Analyst 3. This position designs, plans, and coordinates or conducts analytical management studies of program policies, organizational structures and budgetary, operational, or other administrative systems and provides consultation on legislative or administrative issues, program planning, fiscal, and/or human resource management. Posting #0013410 closes Jan. 5, 2015.

INTO OSU is currently recruiting for an Executive Director. The Executive Director will provide dynamic, consistent and motivational leadership to develop the INTO OSU Center such that it reflects the goals and values of Oregon State University and INTO University Partnerships and promotes the delivery of a world-class student and stakeholder experience. For more information or to apply, please visit: https://home2.eease.adp.com/recruit/?id=14824712 Please apply by Jan. 5, 2015.

The Office of Budget & Fiscal Planning invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE), 12-month Information Systems Analyst position in the Business Intelligence Center. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Director. Posting #0013448. Closes Jan. 7.

The OSU Libraries and Press invites applications for a part-time (.50 FTE), 12-month, fixed term Library Communications Specialist position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the University Librarian and OSU Press Director. Posting #0013435. Closes Jan. 8.

Faculty Research Assistant -The Center for Genome Research and Biocomputing department invites applications for a part-time (.8 FTE), 12-month, fixed term Faculty Research Assistant position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Director. Posting #0013456. Closes Jan. 15.

Research Program Consultant- The VP for Research invites applications for a full-time ( 1.0 FTE), 12-month, fixed term position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Director. Position #0013433. Closes Jan. 22, 2015

The School of Writing, Literature, and Film invites applications for a full-time 1.00 FTE, 9-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor position. This position will teach five undergraduate and graduate courses, on a trimester system, in global (non-western) related film electives and film theory. Posting #0013155. Closes Jan. 30, 2015.

The Department of Forest Engineering, Resources, and Management at Oregon State University seeks applicants for a Faculty Research Assistant in forest modeling. The ideal candidate would have primary expertise in forest biometrics, silviculture, or forest ecophysiology, with the ability to utilize this expertise to develop forest simulation models that represent a hybrid between ecophysiological process models and models built by statistical analysis of large datasets. Posting #0013395. Closes Jan. 31, 2015.

The Center for Genome Research and Biocomputing invites applications for two tenure-track, 9-month, full-time (1.00 FTE) faculty positions (Assistant Professor rank) in the area of Complex Systems in the Life or Environmental Sciences. Posting #0013430. Closes Feb. 6, 2015.

Vice President for Research – The Office of the Provost/Executive Vice President invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE), 12-month, Vice President for Research. Inquiries, nominations, and applications are confidential and should be directed to Sharon Tanabe or Emy Peña at Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates – (562) 360-1612; stsearch@storbeckpimentel.com (Code: OSU VPR). Closes Feb. 20, 2015.

The OSU Foundation invites applications for the position of Investment Accountant. This position plays a key role in the Foundation’s management of all investment-related assets. Interested candidates can submit a Foundation application, along with your cover letter and resume to Patricia L. Kenney, Sr. Director, Human Resources.

Memorial Place: As part of the Black Cultural Center project, Memorial Place will be closed Dec. 22-26, from Monroe Street to the Plageman east parking lot entrance (View Map) in order to pour concrete for the Black Cultural Center frontage. Also, the Plageman ADA parking spots will be closed from Dec. 22 – Jan. 4, so that the concrete poured there has time to cure before students return for Winter term.

Goss Stadium: As part of the Goss Stadium Expansion project, 6 parking spaces in the Coleman Field East Parking Lot (View Map) will be closed until further notice.

Winter Break Parking: From Dec. 15, 2014 to Jan. 2, 2015 OSU permits will be required for parking, but you may park in any zone on campus. During winter break, parking lot usage typically drops dramatically. Also, Beaver Bus shuttle operations will be limited to one bus on the West route, so cross-zonal parking will help commuters access campus. This will also help accommodate several maintenance tasks scheduled in parking lots during this time. Parking Services staff will be monitoring lot usage around campus to ensure that this temporary change does not have a negative impact on the zonal parking system.

Weather

Corvallis: Any hopes of a winter wonderland are unfortunately going to be shattered this week as we see rain showers instead. Highs in the mid 50s, lows dipping into the 30s by week’s end.

Central Oregon: The week will start with a chance of rain and end with a chance of snow. Highs in the mid 40s, lows dipping into the mid 20s.

Newport: Chance of rain at the beginning of the week, showers by the weekend. Highs in the 50s, lows in the 40s.